Backups and Newcomers Take Center Stage at Scrimmage

With four running backs sitting out, it was a chance to shine
for freshman redshirt Jalen Moore.

Moore joined several other youthful Eagles in leading the way
during Eastern Washington University’s final scrimmage of
fall practices on Saturday (Aug. 24) before the Eagles open the
season in a week at Oregon State.

The offense, featuring sophomore quarterback Vernon
Adams, had another productive outing with 329 yards of
offense and three long touchdown drives. But with many of
Eastern’s veterans skipping the scrimmage, it was a chance
for youth to take over.

“We continued to work the young guys at tight end, running
back and receiver because we still have some decisions to make
before the Oregon State game,” Eastern head coach
Beau Baldwin said.

Moore, who is behind four other running backs on the depth
chart, made his case for playing time with 74 yards on 14 carries,
including a 34-yard run. Cody Hecker from nearby
Sandpoint, Idaho, added 62 yards rushing on 12 carries.

Daniel Johnson, a senior backup receiver, made
two impressive catches and finished with 49 yards receiving.
Albert Havili and Jake Gall, who
are competing to play at linebacker and special teams as true
freshmen, had seven and four tackles, respectively. And
Jake Hoffman, a 2013 graduate of Spokane’s
North Central High School, ended the scrimmage with an
interception.

“From a defensive standpoint, I think we have a lot of
freshmen who can help us,” said Baldwin. “When they are
out there with a couple of veterans around them you are able to see
them make plays and fit right in. Today was tough because a lot of
the freshmen were out on the field together. But I saw things at
camp that made me excited about the depth of our team.”

Adams completed 4-of-7 passes for 83 yards, and led the offense
on a pair of 68-yard scoring drives. The first ended with a 20-yard
TD pass to Johnson, and the second was a 34-yard strike to true
freshman Kendrick Bourne, who led all receivers
with three catches for 61 yards. Adams also scored on a 1-yard run
in a goal line situation early in the scrimmage.

Backup quarterback Anthony Vitto also led the
offense on a 68-yard scoring drive, capped by a 7-yard pass to
Zach Wimberly, who was converted in the last three
days to tight end from defensive line. Vitto, a senior, finished
3-of-5 for 41 yards, and freshman redshirt Jordan
West was 5-of-10 for 60 yards.

“From an offensive standpoint, there were some guys that
were learning some new positions in two or three days,”
Baldwin said. “One was Ryan Seto, who is
playing tight end and as a wide receiver in our sets with motion,
and another is Zach Wimberly. A goal offensively was to get those
guys some reps, and get a feel for them there.”

Defensive linemen Zackary Johnson and
Dylan Zylstra each had five tackles for the
defense, as did freshman redshirt linebacker Cedric
Gonzalez.

“As a team goal, we wanted to hit two or three more
situations on both sides of the ball, and we wanted to hit some
more reps at the goal line,” Baldwin added of the situational
nature of the early part of the scrimmage. “We felt that was
an area we needed more reps, and we did that in the beginning (of
the scrimmage). We wanted to get in a four-minute drill which is
basically where offense will try to kill the clock and the defense
will try to get a stop to get the ball back.”

Tentative Schedule of Remaining EWU
Practices

(Times are subject to change. Practices usually last for two
hours. Media interviews take place after practice and scrimmages,
or 20-30 minutes before the practice time listed; No interviews two
days or less before day of games; Call EWU SID office before
practices to confirm time and location)